Got Job Security? Here's who DOES and this is why the Public Option is a DODGE.

[patrice]

The American Medical Association's lobbyists also lobby for the biggest pharmaceutical and insurance companies and trade associations. Additionally, over the last three election cycles, the AMA's political contributions have greatly favored Republicans over Democrats.

LOVE this url: http://freeridebook.com/factcheck/200906110008

[pnwmom]

1. Why is the public option a dodge? n/t

[patrice]

2. Because the basic issue is the Costs of providing care and Care Providers will

still need to PAY for staff to maintain claims and billing for patients who are not in the Public Option.

Also, since the Public Option pool will attract those with the worst health, the costs of providing their care will be worse than the costs of providing care to those in the "private option" pool, because the costs of care are going to be higher in the Public Option pool it will not be economically viable and will collapse of its own accord, at which time a whole chorus of Insurance Co Lobbyists will be sure that America hears a hearty "I told you so."

Public Option currently under discussion has all kinds of restrictions on how it works in order to keep it from competing tooo much with Private insurance, stuff such as the doctors cannot charge less and so forth. It's a dodge, a bone being thrown to the dogs, in order to protect one of the MAJOR sources of campaign funds, the Insurance Co Lobby. Ron Reagan Jr. has been talking about this stuff for a few weeks now on Air America Radio http://airamerica.com/ - last week especially - he also talked to Jonathan Alter about the problems with how Congress is working on this: things like why Reconciliation will NOT actually work to deliver a functional health care reform bill and something called The Byrd Ammendment.

I am for Single Payer, because I am around Health Care Providers quite a bit, many are strongly in support of and members of Physicians for a National Health Program http://www.pnhp.org/ - which is dedicated to Single Payer Health Care.

[pnwmom]

3. The private insurers will not be able to discriminate based on health,

so people with health conditions may choose to go with a private insurer.

But a public option won't have to make a profit. That is a reason that many people no matter what their health status may choose to go with a public option.

You are right that SOME versions of a public option are too watered down to help. That is why we should all be supporting either single payer or a fully competitive, "robust" public option with full power to negotiate prices based on its size.

[patrice]

4. no discrimination for private = no pre-existing conditions? no recision?

How are we going to mandate that?

No profit will make the out-of-pocket for the insured less in the Public Option, more of the working poor will go there and I believe it is pretty clearly established that they DO have poorer health and will need more care.

[pnwmom]

5. Lots of DUers who have other options have ALREADY said that they would

prefer a public option because they HATE insurance companies and don't want their money to go to one.

How are we going to mandate that private insurers can't discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions? By writing it into the law. And all the sides have already agreed to that.

[patrice]

6. I don't ascribe to hate. There are things I feel strongly about, such as, enlightened Self interest,

for all, because it's practical, smart, and local, things I love.

I also feel strongly about tyranny.